Mattress retainer and sheet clamp



July 21, 1970 5 F E ETAL 3,521,308

MATTRESS RETAINER AND SHEET CLAMP Filed Oct. 9', 1967 E R mi W E m V .G mBm N M A L ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,521,308 MATTRESS RETAINER AN D SHEET CLAMP Sam B. Fowler and Lanning P. 'Risher, Camden, S.C., assignors to Timely Enterprises, Inc., Camden, S.C., a corporation of South Carolina Filed Oct. 9, 1967, Ser. No. 673,753

Int. Cl. A47c 21/00 US. Cl. 5-320 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device mounted on the frame upon which a mattress of a bed rests which restricts the movement of the mattress on the bed, as well as clamps the ends of the sheet to hold such in position on the bed. The inner jaws of the clamping device have a gripping surface of a high coeflicient of friction which holds the sheet between the jaws of the clamping element for aiding in making up the bed.

This invention relates to a bed sheet clamping device, and more particularly to a sheet clamping device which restricts the movement of the mattress carried on the bed during manipulation of the bed while holding the sheet in position thereon.

Heretofore, in making up the bed with conventional sheets the mattress on the bed was raised and the ends and sides of the sheet were tucked beneath the mattress to secure the sheet in position on the bed. Such a method of making a bed is satisfactory in homes and the like,'where time is not of a great importance. However, in establishments such as hotels and hospitals where the sheets on several hundred beds have to be changed daily the time and labor necessary to make such changes becomes a major problem. Recently, disposable sheets composed primarily of paper having cross strands of nylon or orlon scrim have been used. Since the sheets are disposable, it is desired to maintain the area of the sheet as small as possible while producing the same appearance as conventional woven cloth sheets. When beds are made up by tucking a portion of the sheet under the mattress on the ends and sides approximately twenty-five (25%) percent of the sheet material is being utilized to secure such on the bed.

The device constructed in accordance with the present invention enables the area of the sheet to be reduced by approximately twenty to twenty-five percent, while producing the same esthetic effect as conventional sheets.

Clamping devices are carried on the frame of the bed which have a fixed plate that abuts against the end of the mattress for preventing the mattress from moving during manipulation of such. On beds, such as hospital beds, which are capable of being manipulated so as to elevate certain portions of the mattress, the mattress shifts relative to the springs as the bed is manipulated. The shifting of the mattress tends to cause the sheets to pull out at the ends producing wrinkles therein. If clamping devices were positioned below the level of the springs or frame upon which the mattress is carried, the pressure of the mattress bearing against the ends of the sheet during manipulation of the bed would tend to tear the disposable sheet. In the device constructed in accordance with the present invention substantially no additional pressure is exerted upon the sheet during such manipulation, since the clamping device restricts the movement of the mattress, as well as secures the end of the sheet in a fixed position relative to the end of the bed. The pressure caused by the mattress tending to shift is absorbed by the fixed elongated plate of the clamping device.

Accordingly, it is an important object of this invention to provide clamping devices for sheets which secure the "Ice sheets on the bed while restricting the movement of the mattress carried thereon as the bed is manipulated.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a clamping device for beds which minimizes the area of the sheets necessary to cover the bed.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide a sheet clamping device which is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction, and can be readily mounted on the frames of beds.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide a device for beds which enables sheets and the like, to be placed on the bed in a much shorter period of time than the conventional method of making up a bed.

Still a further important object of the present invention is to provide a clamping device which has gripping inner surfaces which tend to hold the ends of the sheet during the making of the bed While the clamping device is in an open position.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the clamping and mattress retaining device constructed in accordance with the present invention mounted on a conventional hospital bed,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective View illustrating the clamping apparatus mounted on the frame of the bed,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating a clamping device constructed in accordance with the present invention latched in an open position, and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 44 of FIG. 2, illustrating a clamping device in a closed position.

The drawing illustrates a clamping device carried adjacent each end of a bed for aiding in making up the bed with disposable sheets and the like, and positively securing the sheets thereon. The devices, also, prevent the mattress from moving relative to the frame during manipulation of the bed for avoiding tearing of the sheets. The sheets are drawn across a mattress which is supported on the frame of the bed. Each clamping device includes a first elongated vertical plate A of substantially the same width as the mattress. Means are provided for securing the first vertical plate A to the frame in a fixed position relative thereto, so that the end of the mattress abuts thereagainst. A second elongated vertical plate B is carried adjacent the first vertical plate A and a hinge member connects a lower edge of the first vertical plate to a lower edge of the second vertical plate B for permitting the second vertical plate B to pivot relative to the first vertical plate A so that one end of the sheet can be inserted therebetween. A gripping surface C having a high coefiicient of friction is carried on the inner surface of the first and second plates A and B for aiding in holding the end of the sheet between the plates when in an open position during the making up of the bed. A spring is carried by the first and second plates A and B urging such together and a latching device -D is provided for holding the first and second plates A and B apart during the making up of the bed.

Referring in more detail to FIG. 1, a conventional hospital bed is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 which includes a pair of spaced vertical end frame members 11 and 12, respectively, joined by a horizontal supporting frame member 13. The end member 11 is positioned adjacent the head of the bed and has wheels 14 mounted on the bottom thereof. Wheels are also carried on the bottom of the end member 12 positioned adjacent the foot of the bed. Supporting structures 15 and 16 are carried on each side of the bed and are pivotally secured to the horizontal supporting member 13 and the frame 17 upon which the mattress 18 is carried. By rotating the handle 19 at the end of the bed the supporting structures 15 and 16 can be manipulated to elevate certain portions of the mattress 18. When raising the mattress 18 from the horizontal position to the position illustrated in FIG. 1 the end of the mattress adjacent the head of the bed tends to move up relative to the frame 17. The end of the mattress adjacent the bottom of the bed also tends to pull upwardly from the end of the frame 17. Such, if permitted to take place would cause wrinkles and the like to develop in the sheet when the mattress is returned to its horizontal position. Moreover, if clamping devices, such as illustrated in Pat. No. 352,497, granted to Street et al. on Nov. 9, 1896, and Pat. No. 357,348, granted to Trotter on Feb. 8, 1887, were used to clamp disposable sheets on the bed, as the bed was manipulated such sheets would tend to tear adjacent the clamping members. Conventional fiat springs 18a are carried by opposite sides of the frame 17 for supporting the mattress.

A clamping device constructed in accordance with the present invention is mounted on the ends of the frame 17 adjacent each end of the bed for retaining the mattress on the frame 17, as Well as clamping the sheet 181) in position on the bed. Each clamping device includes a first elongated vertical plate A of substantially the same width as the mattress. The plate A is rectangular in shape and the bottom end thereof is welded to a pair of vertical supporting posts 20, the lower ends of which extend through a slot 21 carried in a horizontal top portion of the frame 17. A bolt 22 extends through a horizontal wall portion of the frame 17 for securing the vertical supporting posts to the frame. A nut 23 is threaded on the bolt to lock the supporting posts 21 thereon. Thus, it can be seen that the first vertical plate A of the clamping device is fixed relative to the frame of the bed and prevents the mattress from moving beyond such point during the manipulation of the bed. While slots have been provided in the horizontal top portion of the frame 17 for receiving the posts 20, it is to be understood that the fixed plate of the clamping device can be attached in other suitable ways, such as by an L-shaped bracket which has its flange bolted to the horizontal top portion of the frame 17.

A second elongated vertical plate B is carried adjacent the first vertical plate A and the lower edges of the two plates are joined by a hinge 24 so as to permit the second vertical plate B to pivot relative to the first vertical plate A. A spring 26 is carried on a rod 25 which extends through the hinge members 24 for urging the first and second plates A and B together. The springs 26 have an upwardly extending portion adjacent one end thereof, engaging the outer surface of the first plate A and an upwardly extending portion adjacent the other end thereof, engaging the outer surface of the second plate B. Thus, when the clamping device is opened by pulling downwardly on the handle 27 the springs 26 tend to cause the clamping device to return to its initial closed position.

A latching device D is carried on the pivotal plate B for holding the first and second plates A and B apart when making up the bed. The latching device D includes an elongated rectangular shaped member 28 which is pivotally attached adjacent one end thereof by a pin carried between a pair of spaced projections extending outwardly from the second plate B. The inner end of the elongated member 28 extends through a vertical slot 29 in the second plate B for engaging the inner surface of the fixed plate A to hold the plates in the open position. Thus, by pivoting the elongated member to the horizontal position, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the inner end of such engages the inner surface of the fixed plate A to hold the two plates A and B apart as illustrated. When the hori- 4 zontal member is pivoted counterclockwise to a substantially vertical position, such as illustrated in FIG. 4, the springs 26 return the clamping device to the closed position for engaging the sheet 18b.

'Each of the plates A and B have a gripping surface C of a high coefficient of friction carried thereon for producing a positive gripping force on the sheet. The gripping surface C in one embodiment takes the form of a strip of coarse sandpaper glued adjacent the top of the inner surfaces of the plates A and B. This gripping surface not only produces a positive gripping force on the sheet when the bed is in the made up position, but also aids in holding the sheet while the bed is being made up. In making up the bed the clamping device is first latched in an open position, and one end of the sheet is then pressed against the gripping surface C by the person making up the bed by running his hand over the end of the sheet. There is a sufficient frictional contact to hold the sheet in position between the clamping jaws A and B, while both ends of the sheets are being secured on the bed. After the second sheet has been inserted within the clamping jaws A and B the elongated latching member 28 is pivoted counterclockwise, allowing the springs 26 to close the clamping plates A and B.

Since the ends of the sheets 18b do not have to be tucked under the mattress, there is approximately a twentyfive (25%) percent saving in the sheet material required for the bed. This cuts the cost of the disposable sheets considerably.

The mattress on the bed abuts fiush up against the fixed plate A so that as the bed is manipulated it is not allowed to extend beyond the plate A and tend to pull the sheet material from between the jaws of the clamps as would be the case if the clamping device was mounted below the frame 17.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claim.

What is claimed is:

1. For use on ibeds having a frame upon which a mattress is carried for aiding in making up the bed with disposable sheets and positively securing said sheets thereon, comprising: a clamping device carried adjacent each end of said bed, each clamping device including, a first elongated vertical plate of substantially the same width as said mattress, means for securing said first vertical plate to said frame in a fixed position relative thereto so that the end of said mattress abuts against said first vertical plate, a second elongated vertical plate, a hinge member connecting a lower edge of said first vertical plate to a lower edge of said second vertical plate for permitting said second plate to pivot relative to said first plate so that one end of said sheet can be inserted therebetween, a gripping surface having a high coefficient of friction carried on the inner surface of said first and second plates for aiding in holding the end of said sheet between said plates when in an opened position during the making up of said bed, a spring carried !by said first and second plates urging such together, and a latching device for holding said first and second plates apart during the making up of said bed, whereby said first plate of said clamping devices minimizes the movement of said mattress relative to said frame during manipulation of said bed to avoid tearing of said sheet and said clamping devices hold said sheet in position on said bed when in a closed position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,291,444 7/1942 Bengtson 5-320 2,769,989 11/1956 Woodford 5--320 BOBBY 'R. GAY, Primary Examiner A. M. CALVERT, Assistant Examiner 

